Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-06-03


Hopsom stira;
SPRINT lupOn, upon,
Hopsom tup an, tup an,
I.anti Ira, Ira,
liOpsOtn stira, stira
Dance and jump,
Hop like a rooster,
Hop like the skatan.
Perhaps this very instant-for Elsa made
no calculations in longitude and time-Na
ders mutter danced the baby under her
home roof and none Of her people knew
how faint, how outcast how bewildered
the eldest child felt sitting on steps in
strange Amerikansk town.
In Elsas box Of clothing was the finest
sheepskn blanket her mother ever made,
so white in fleece, and cured by buttering
and scraping until the skin yielded soft
like channels leather. 1t was lined with
scarlet flannel. She could see the store
room of her fathers farmhouse hung
thickly with such heeces, and hear her
mother say she wished Elsa could take
more, since they had so little money TO send
with her But Arne Sandstrom had sent
the money to pay her way, because he
loved her So They were children togeth-
err, and he was held as dear a son in her
own family Elsa's mother never distrust-
ed him. How could it therefore be posi-
BILE that Arne Sandstrom, after sending for
his betrothed, could be marrying a Swede
Amerikann the very evening Of her arrival!
In her intensely quiet fashion the poor
girl was wiping away tears as fast as they
dripped down her cheeks, and now she lift
ed her head from the step coming to de
| cision
She walked up on the veranda, her feet
sounding heavy and uncertain, and stood
at the door ready to knock. Her piteous
great eyes moved from wall to wall Of the
ample dining-room, recognizing Svensk
wooden spoons and beautifully painted and
polished Russian bowls in various sizes on
the sideboard. Hard-baked Svensk bread,
so loved by the white and firm Scandina-
Wan teeth, and all known home luxur;""
with unheard-of Amerikann things, smiled
at her from the glittering tables This lie
ma Lund would be called mamzelle in
| Svadia she was very much above a poor
yung frau like Elsa Any man might be
| glad TO marry her. Still Elsa would not
believe Arne Sandstrom had forgotten his
betrothed.
She could see him from where she stood,
in an inner room with a background of
| fine furniture How beautiful he looked
| all in Amerikann clothes, and with soft
| dark gloves on his hands, like a very rich
man His cheek was ruddy, his forehead
white, and the very round of his carlow
well Elsa remembered it Arne Sandstrom
was happy, and laughing aloud with 9TH
err people She heard his voice while she
stood Just without, so wretched her whole
soul seemed numb.
In perfect silence she waited, and still
saw him laugh and extend his hand to have
it shaken by one and another, until a figure
came out of the room where he was, to
pass through the dining room, and she
knew in an instant Otto Jutberg, who came
to America with AIne Elsa put her foot
across the threshold and said, to call his
attention, "Otto.'
Otto approached the door and looked Gu
riously at her. One rope of her faxen hair
hung down on her breast, and she looked
travel-worn
lotto Jutberg, l want to see Arne Sand
strom"
"Arne is going to be married in few
minutes said Otto.
Il know he is But | want 10 see Arne
Sandstrom. Tell him to come here
"Who is it = pressed Otto, coming near
err to her, and knitting his brows inquiring
ly.
Don't you know me, Otto, when you
have been to my fathers nearly every st
Johns Eve of our lives =
Elsa felt that she needed only one more
drop to her cup, and that was for somt
voice to raise the derisive song with which
her countrymen Knocked Scowneys, or in
habtants of region the butt of all Svadia
"a Scowen, Scowen'-
One bar was enough to rouse sudden rag
in any Svensk.
But instead of "A Scowen, a Scowen,
rising around Elsa's ears this enchante,
night, such a din of outcries was made b!
Otto Jutberg that people ran to look int
the dining room, and then to swarm arount
her.
Arne Sandstrom leaped two chairs AM
seriously Jared one table, to receive Els
in his arms, when he kissed her openly.
Bring me one of the chairs l kicke,
over he exclaimed "and let me set tn
tired darling in it. l have been looking
for the letter which would tell me whel
you intended to start. Yes, this is my FL
sa,n he said displaying her; 'and how di
she find her way in here alone Mrs. Lund
Elsa has come ~
Eyes, and she has been crying" sal
! the plump wife of Peter Lund, pressing
/ her hand 1T was enough to break an
child's heart to reach such a journeys en-
homesick and unwelcomed"
At this Elsa leaned against the matron'
side, and shook with sudden sobs, feelin
, her forehead and hair petted by a goo
mothers palms.
Elsa was taken up the back stairway b
/. both Mrs. Lund and Arne, who talked raj
idly across her. She was put in a beaut
full room, and young girls came in to ge
: acquainted with her and giggle. Arm
asked her for that piece of metal whic
! would redeem her baggage, and he handle
.. ~ Il npl,
derstood her position, or was quite able (
= lift her eyes and look at who wanted I
talk to her, the box which had borne he
company from Svada was brought in, an
Arne told her the other wedding would
put off half an hour while she got read,
>, Then he drove the merry company out {
the room, and stood with his back at til
: door to keep at bay that moment all voluI
: teering bride attendants.
Can you be ready in half an hour, aftt
= your long journey, my darling p said he
81 can soon wash off the dust and chang
!, my dress" said Elsa But, Arne l
: not know anything. Who is going to ma
- ry Lena Lund y
"Arne Sandstrom. And you will
married at the same time"
81 thought that was what you and Mr.
: Lund said. But who is going to marry me
:, Who! l am; Arne Sandstrom.
! II will not do it" said Elsa. "The
- never have two wives in Svadia."
Arne Sandstrom gazed silently at he
pulled and exploded his checks, and beI
-, over, striking his knees with those del
- cately gloved hands Elsa had first note
II with such awe. He roared in the ferv,
u of his laughter. This American COUNT
u had in no way abated Arne Sandstrom
- a Norseman.
ooh, Elsa, my snowbird, if l should tt
- this ON thee they would laugh at thee fro
: one end of town to the other. Lena Lund
. bridegroom is my cousin Arne, that can
over with Otto Jutberg and me-"
y "That was Arne Petersen affirmed h
/, sa.
. but there are so many Petersens al
:, Yonsens who take their names from the
I. fathers Christian names that Arne change
- his to Sandstrom 1t is very CONNIE
. thing to do here
'e Elsa laughed also. 1t was so simple al
- clear and Swedish she wondered that new
y of Arne Sandstroms wedding had cnus'
~ her even misgiving, She left her cha
= to swing Arne's hands while they both fl
i ished laughing.
n "But you ought to be ready" he erie
- land not keep the others waiting. 6
- the papers for the wedding when Arne (
- his papers, so there would be no mistake
~ names ON the record, and so | could mar
. You as soon as you came
!" Within the hour therefore, Elsa was d
a bride of Arne Sandstrom, arrayed in h
III dark blue wedding dress of WOOL and II
20 shaming by her statue-like proportions al
~ fairness the lighter prettiness and silk
~ raiment of Arne Sandstroms Americ'
~ Swedish bride Happiness and love weT
! after ALL the natural lot in this worl
= thought Elsa, sitting by her husband in h
70 place of honor at the wedding supper, Al
,S tasting the first course of such a feast
~ S,undish snnn of ricn. nrnnes rnisins. aI